Perforable self-sealing container closure



July 16, 1968 A. M. FlSCHER 3,392,859

PERFORABLE SELF-SEALING CONTAINER CLOSURE Filed April 22, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet l Z2 ffc I 2/ 1| Z611] 34 I I| 6' 3 Z5; 23 2 4 /2 FIG-i2 INVENTOR ATTOR NEY 'S July 16, 1968 A. M. FISCHER 3,392,859

PERFGRABLE SELF-SEALING CONTAINER CLOSURE Filed April 22, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet a F/G- 8 INVENTOR Q 421527 /%/Zswe wi'ggwu,

ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,392,859 PERFORABLE SELF-SEALING CONTAINER CLOSURE Albert M. Fischer, P.O. Box 68, Dowagiac, Mich. 49047 Filed Apr. 22, 1966, Ser. No. 544,505 5 Claims. (Cl. 21539) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A perforable self-sealing container closure of the crown cap type utilizing a resin perforable seal having an annular cushion seal area, a depending skirt, a depending plug portion, and a central thin wall rupturable membrane scalable against the walls of an axially inserted tube and for retention on a bottle by a peripherally crimped and center scored metal crown cap element. This also contemplates for maximum utility a container which includes a well or sump for operational support of an inserted siphon tube.

The present invention is directed to a new and useful container closure and more particularly to a container closure which is perforable and reusable and is self sealing against a dispenser such as a siphon or the like. In addition the present invention is directed to a new and useful bottle or container particularly adaptable to use with the type of container closure herein described. The container closure is intended to be selectively usable with valved dispensing equipment or in the ordinary manner of a crown cap.

For home consumption the size of containers or hottles for carbonated beverages and beer and ale has increased. With the increase in container size the user experiences considerable economy. However, once opened, the containers expose the contents to ambient conditions with attendant loss of carbonation, flavor, and sparkle unless the contents are consumed quickly. It is accordingly the desire of p-ackagers to evolve a suitable seal and container so that the consumer may preserve quantities of the beverage for future use unspoiled by occasional withdrawals. This necessitates a new consideration of crown, seal, and container. Such structures must lend themselves to mass production and must be relatively inexpensive.

The present invention accordingly addresses itself to the solution of the above indicated problems.

Structures closest to this invention in the prior crown cap artas known to the inventor are United States Letters Patents 2,963,189 to L. Tourre; 3,089,604 to E. Golde et al.; and 2,696,318 to G. A. Kihm. However the present invention is believed to distinguish from this known art in substantial particulars as will be seen.

Accordingly the principal object of the present invention is to provide a crown cap and seal insert, both of which are perforable and one of which provides a sealing action about the tube of an inserted siphon, for example.

Another object is to provide a unique crown seal element which is skirted to snap into a crown cap and which self orients a membrane and sleeve to axial alignment with the center of a crown cap.

Another object is to provide a reusable seal insert so that despite deformation of the supporting cap the bottle or container can be effectively closed against escaping gas in situations in which the perforable features are not employed.

Another object is to provide a container of improved type which allows increase in container size while introducing support means for dispensing apparatus.

Another object is to provide a prescored pierceable metal or plastic crown cap adaptable to accommodate the simple insertion of a dispenser apparatus while remaining useful as an ordinary crown cap.

Still another object is to provide a combination structure of unique cap, seal, and container or bottle particularly useful in siphon tube relationships for beverage withdrawal.

In the drawings FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of a cap in accord with present invention.

FIGURE 2 is a cross section view of the cap seen in FIGURE 1 taken on the line IIII with seal element retained therein and showing the operative position over the mouth of a bottle and with the prescored center penetrated as for insertion of a siphon tube.

FIGURE 3 is a bottom plan view of the seal element and indicating a seal area of raised lands defining adjacent depressions which provides enhancement of primary seal area resiliency.

FIGURE 4 is a cross section view taken through the seal seen in FIGURE 3 on the line IVIV.

FIGURE 5 is a partial enlarged cross section of the resilient cushion of the seal.

FIGURE 6 is a fragmental perspective of the seal and indicating the labyrinth form of the seal with lands defining each' of the depressions.

FIGURE 7 indicates a bottle in accord with the present invention and partially cut away to reveal the insertion of a siphon tube through the cap and seal.

FIGURE 8 is a top plan fragmental view of the bottom of the bottle or container of FIGURE 7 and indicating the position of the locating bracket for support of the siphon tube.

General description In general, the invention is directed to a new crown cap allowing piercing, a new seal element allowing penetration and rupture, and a new container all particularly adapted for accommodation of a siphon tube delivery system. The cap element is rendered perforable by score lines so as to guide and locate tube penetration without removal of the cap from the bottle. The seal element is also perforable or penetrable so that the tube can break the seal and so that the sleeve-like region of the seal provides a new seal joint against the tube, thereby preventing escape of carbon dioxide, for example, from the bottle. This also allows the introduction of air or CO pressure to the container through the tube to provide dispensing drive where necessary. 'In other respects the seal seats in the cap and is provided with a labyrinth seal area and plug seal features relating the seal element to the closure of the bottle. The bottle is especially formed to provide a conventional neck to which the cap and seal is secured and a support well in the base interior of the bottle for locating support of a siphon tube. If it is not desired to use the siphon, then the cap and seal may be removed in accord with usual crown cap practice and the seal, as described, allows the container to be recapped using manual pressures so that the contents do not lose their carbonation or flavor.

Specific description Referring with particularity to the drawings and FIG- URE 1, a cap element 11 is appreciated as formed from metal or material having metal-like properties which includes an integral peripheral depending skirt portion 12. The lowermost part of the skirt portion 12 includes crimped undulations 13. The skirt 12 is integral with the disc-like circular top 14. In the geometric center of the cap 11, and consequently in the center of the top 14, a punch-like depression 15 is provided from which point radial scoring 16 projects thereby locally weakening the strength of the material forming the cap 11. As will be seen this allows for application of manual pressure to penetrate and orient the passage of a siphon tube through the top 14. By reference to FIGURE 4 the seal element 17 is observed in cross section. The same seal element 17 is seen in plan view from the bottom in FIGURE 3. The seal element 17 is a single piece element of plastic such as polyethylene, vinyl, or neoprene having suitable resilient properties and inert to interaction with the ingredients with which the seal element is to be associated. The seal element 17 comprises an integral outer and upper seal skirt 18 which in cross section resembles an inverted dish. Primary sealing surfaces 19 are annularly formed in the base portion 20 of the dish shaped skirt 18. The outer portion of the skirt 18 is an integral depending peripheral flap 21, which, as will be seen, nests the seal 17 in the cap 11 and is uniformally retained therein by frictional engagement against the undulations 13 in the interior side of the cap 11. Hence the seal element 17 snaps into position in the cap 11. The inner wall 22 of the skirt 18 forms a vertically depending cylindrical plug 23 when closed by the transverse barrier of disc-like bottom 24. In plan view the seal element 17 is circular and the skirt 18 is coaxial with an axis passed through the center of the seal element 17 so that axial symmetry is preserved throughout the seal element 17. At the center of the bottom 24 a circular thin-wall rupturable membrane section 25 is located and this section 25 closes the tubular sleeve 26 coaxially positioned in respect to the seal 17. An internal chamfer 27 provides an upper guide entry at the open end of the tubular sleeve 26. The circular thin-wall membrane section or web 25 is penetrable or rupturable by an axially applied pointed object and the tubular sleeve 26 and the increased thickness of the barrier or bottom 24 prevents tearing of the entire seal ele ment 17 at rupture of the membrane section 25. The tubular sleeve 26 is integral with the bottom 24 and membrane 25 and rises vertically therefrom. Preferably the sleeve 26 does not make contact with the interior surface of top 14 of cap 11.

The annular primary seal area 19 is formed by a plurality of depressions 28 and lands 29 surrounding the depressions 28. The lands 29 are in a substantially common plane and a primary labyrinth type seal is thus accomplished in which depth, size, number and configuration of the depressions 28 and the surrounding resultant lands 29 are adjustable so as to increase the resiliency of the seal area 19 over the resiliency available in any particular plastic or resin material. Thus the primary seal area 19 is rendered springy while the lands 29 conform themselves to an adjacent seal face such as glass with plural resistance to the escape of gas or liquid. It will also be appreciated that the seal area of lands 29 and depressions 28 is locatable to accomplish resilient cushion-like sealing on both sides, contacting cap 11 on one side and container 30 on the other side where maximum resilience is desired. Such a system of cushion seal is best expressed in the FIGURE and is also observable in the FIGURE 4. The FIGURE 6 illustrates a diamond shape depression 31 as indicated in the views of the structure as seen in the FIGURES 3, 4 and 5. It will also be appreciated that only one surface of the seal area 19 may be needed where the resiliency imparted by the lands 29 and depressions 28 is adequate. Such a seal element 32, otherwise embodying the features of the seal element 17 is illustrative of the cooperation between cap 11 and seal element 32 or seal element 17. This is seen in an operative cross section of FIGURE 2 indicating the cap 11 and seal element 32 positioned on the container or bottle 30 preparatory to crimping and showing how a siphon tube 33 penetrates the scored portion of the cap 11 and preparatory to penetration of the seal element 32. The function illustrated in FIGURE 2 is equally applicable to the seal element 17.

In FIGURE 2 the seal 32 has been pushed into the cap 11 and the peripheral flap 21 is resting against the shoulder 34 formed by the upper (as viewed in the drawings) extreme of the crimped undulations 13 in the downturned peripheral skirt 12 of the cap 11. The cap 11 and seal element 32 are thus coaxially oriented so that the penetrable thin wall 25 and the punch-like depression with scores 16 are in spaced apart register. The cap 11 is then positioned to cover the mouth 35 of the container 30 and the depending plug portion 23' of the seal element 32 slips into snug fit against the internal neck surface 36 of the container 30. Hence wall 22 bears externally against the interior neck surface 36 in a secondary seal position as shown. The cushion-like resiliency of the seal area 19' allows the lands 29' to conform to any irregularity of the lip surface 37 of the container 30 when sealing pressure is applied and the cap 11 is crirnped down on the retaining shoulder 38 of the container 30. Such crimping is conventional and is not illustrated in the FIG- URE 2. The sealing and crimping does accomplish a tertiary seal as the annular flap 21 is drawn into tight contact against the outer edge of the lip 37 by the cap- 11.

Once cap 11 and seal 32 or 17 is positioned on the container 30 a siphon tube 33 (having no part in the present invention) can easily perforate the cap 17 indexed by the indentation 15 and assisted by the break away of the scores 16 to form the downturned prongs 39 as seen in FIGURE 2. These fold inwardly to form a cylindrical tube guide. The tube 33 is thus oriented axially of the cap 11 and seal element 32 so that further penetration of the tube 33 penetrates and ruptures the membrane formed by the thin wall 2-5. The axial motion of the tube 33 is further guided by the tubular sleeve 26' and the chamfer edge 27. As will be appreciated the outside diameter of the tube 33 slightly exceeds the internal diameter of the sleve 26 so that as the tube 33 is inserted further into the container 30 a running seal relation is established between sleeve 26' and tube 33 in the manner of a stufling box or packing gland. Where it is not desired to use a tube 33 for withdrawal of contents from the container 30, then the cap 11 may be removed with the seal element 17 or 32 in a conventional manner well known in the crown cap field. In such instances the seal 17 or 32 is reusable for sealing the container 30 by virute of the plug portion 23 and 23' which extends into the container 30 and sealably conforms its outer vertical surface to the inner surface 36 of the bottle or container 30.

The container 30 and siphon 33 is better understood by reference to FIGURES 7 and 8 showing the siphon tube 33 fully inserted through the cap 11, seal 32 and positioned in a well 40 integrally formed in the base 41 of the container 30. The well is formed by stanchion pieces 42 in spaced apart opposed relation providing clearance and locating control for the lowermost tip 43 of the tube 33 thereby assuring substantially removal of all contents of the container 30 and steadying the tube 33 in alignment with an axis passing centrally through cap 11, seal element 32 or 17, and container 30. The siphon tube 33 is fitted with a suitable manually operable valve 44 and pump 45 where desired. Delivery of contents is from spigot nozzle 46. Various siphons may be used so long as the tube 33 is sufficiently rigid, as for example stainless steel, to accomplish puncture of the scored cap 11 and penetration and rupture of the integral diaphragm or membrane of the seal element 32 or 17. The tube 33 should be long enough to bottom in the well 40. The container 30, while shown as a glass container, such as a bottle, may be made of metal, plastic or other suitable material having a neck 35 and sealing lips 38. The container 343 at bottom should include stanchions 42 and preferably integrally formed to strengthen the base 41 of the container 30. The use of the siphon allows beverages such as soft drinks and beer to be preserved for substantial lengths of time and dispensed as desired. Hence the containers 30 may be made larger as for example in half gallon and gallon quantities, or multiples thereof, thus substantially reducing the problem of handling many bottles or cans of beverage. The combination of new seal and new cap achieving a seal against a tubular insert such as a siphon tube and achieving primary, secondary and tertiary seal as between cap and bottle extends the range of usefulness of crown cap assemblies and makes possible extended storage for use with or without siphon. The particular siphon is not a part of the invention and a variety of well known siphon types may be readily adapted to use with the present invention.

Having thus described several embodiments of the present invention other modifications, changes and improvements will occur to those skilled in the crown cap and crown seal art and such modifications, changes, and improvements are intended to be included herein limited by the scope of the hereinafter appended claims.

I claim:

1. A plastic crown cap seal element for insertion and self retention in a crown cap comprising:

(a) an annular peripheral skirt portion;

(b) an annular resilient seal surface on said skirt including a plurality of depressions and surrounding lands, said lands being in a substantially common plane;

(c) a depending vertical sided plug portion integral with said skirt and closed at the bottom end and extending downwardly from the inner edge of said annular skirt portion;

(d) a tubular sleeve extending upwardly from said bottom of said plug on an axis transverse to the bottom of said plug portion and terminating below said seal surface; and

(e) a penetrable thin section web integral with said bottom and closing said tubular sleeve at one end thereof.

2. A crown cap and seal comprising:

(a) a circular metal cap element having a center-scored top and an integral downturned crimped flange peripherally extending and depending from said scored p;

(b) a plastic seal element secured in said cap and including a thin center web defined by a tubular sleeve portion located in axial registry with the center of said top of said cap, said seal element including a labyrinth-like annulus of plural depressions defined by surrounding lands,

3. A crown cap and seal comprising:

(a) a circular metal cap element having a center scored top disc and an integral flange peripherally extending and depending from said top, said flange having crimping undulations therein;

(b) a plastic plug seal having an inverted dish shaped skirt annulus pressed into said cap and peripherally retained against said internal crimp undulations in said cap; and

(c) a transverse cylindrical plug portion of said seal including a tubular sleeve in axial register with said center scored top and a thin walled web closing one end of said tubular sleeve, a portion of said skirt annulus including depressions defined by raised lands.

4. A container comprising:

(a) walls symmetrical about an axis;

(b) a base closing said walls at one end and transverse of the axis of said walls;

(c) a central well in said base on the axis of said walls including support stanchions in spaced opposed relation about said well; and

(d) a perforable and penetrable scored cap and seal structure closing said walls of said container, the center of said cap and seal positioned on said axis of said walls and in axial register with said well, said seal having a central thin membrane.

5. A crown cap dispensing container for use with a siphon tube comprising:

(a) a scored center indented crown cap having a depending fiange flap and said flap having an undulating surface;

(b) a plastic perforable seal element having a peripheral skirt portion retaining said seal element in said cap, having a cushion seal area, having a depending integral plug portion, and having a tubular integral sleeve portion in axial register with the center of said cap and closed at one end by a thin wall integral rupturable membrane; and

(c) a container having a neck adapted to lockably receive said crown cap and sealably engage said seal element at said cushion seal area and having a well provided in the bottom of said container in axial register with the center of said cap and said seal element.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 649,866 5/1900 Bassett 2156 1,395,753 11/1921 Wehle 222-464 X 1,413,703 4/1922 Biehn 21573 X 2,294,224 8/1942 Daly 215] 2,334,905 11/1943 Cherkin. 2,876,775 3/1959 Barr. 3,071,274 1/1963 Ravn 21542 X FOREIGN PATENTS 150,255 9/1920 Great Britain.

471,689 9/1937 Great Britain.

741,856 12/1955 Great Britain.

996,352 6/1965 Great Britain.

DONALD F. NORTON, Primary Examiner. 

